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An update from Evaneos
Gangtok

Gangtok (India)

Practical information about Gangtok

  • Viewpoint
  • Mountain
  • Place or Historical Monument
3 / 5 - One review
Minimum stay
One day

Reviews of Gangtok

Julie Olagnol Travel writer
91 travel articles

Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim. It's a favourite with Indian tourists who fancy a trip to the mountains without wearing themselves out.

My suggestion:
If you want to travel around Sikkim you'll need a permit. By presenting the necessary paperwork (ID photos and copies of your passport), you'll be able to get one in a jiffy at Darjeeling, Siliguri or Rangpo.
Summary:

Gangtok doesn't have much to offer Western tourists. It's better to head southwest of Sikkim and embark on a trek from Pelling, a more authentic town, built on a human scale.

At the same time, if you want to visit sites such as Rumtek or Lake Tsomgo, to the southeast of Sikkim, during your trip to India, then Gangtok is a good base. You won't be unhappy there. As with all mountain towns loved by Indian tourists, you'll find comfortable (concrete!) hotels, non-vegetarian restaurants and basic tourist attractions such as the famous cable car. How could a Kolkata family not sing Gangtok's praises?

Even if Gangtok isn't a town to avoid, it's still not a must-see during a stay in Sikkim. If you prefer larger towns, then you'll be better off at Pelling.

The Gangtok cable car